Page 22 of The Publicity Stunt

“What are you so worried about? Embarrassing yourself?” She half laughs. “I’m literally on my knees, begging you to kiss me. As of this moment, I’m the most embarrassed human being on the planet.”

Very subtly, I sneak a peek over the edge of the roof. It’s not that high. If I jump, I’ll probably end up breaking a few bones, but that’s fine. That’s fixable. Kissing April Moore isn’t.

“You don’t even have to kiss me back if you don’t want to. Just let me kiss you. Think of it as a lesson. Practice.”

There are words coming out of her mouth, but none of them makes any sense.

“It doesn’t have to be such a big deal. You’re my best friend. If I’m truly terrible at it, I’d rather hear it from you than from someone else.”

Yeah, I’m gonna jump.

April’s eyes study my face and I hope like hell it doesn’t betray the panic I’m feeling inside. “So? Will you?” she asks, all doe-eyed, as if this isn’t an odd request.

Is it? Do friends just kiss?

“You want me to kiss … you?”

“For practice,” she says.

“Practice,” I repeat.

She removes her hands and places them on her knees. “Look, today it’s practice for me and tomorrow, maybe in a hundred-odd years or so, it’ll be practice for you. When you’re out in the world, all grown up, giving some girl the best make-out session of her life, I hope you think of me and this night. Everyone wins.”

I frown and she brushes it off with a wave. “Whatever. That came out wrong. Now, will you kiss me or not?”

My voice comes out in a whisper. “Okay.” Okay? Oh, you fucking moron.

“Yeah?”

“I um … if that’s what you want,” I stutter.

April might talk a big game, but right now she looks like she’s about to flee. Her shoulders tense and I think I’ve ruined my one and only chance at kissing April Moore. But then she comes closer.

“You’re sure?” Her eyes drop to my mouth and I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.

“Yeah.”

With her eyes locked on my mouth, she lifts her hand and cups my jaw. It’s possible my heart explodes inside my chest. She drags her gaze back to mine, silently asking for permission. I nod, then she leans in, stopping inches away from my lips. For a split second, I stay absolutely still, too scared to move, but soon I start to move my lips against hers. Warm and soft and just … perfect.

My thoughts are swimming all over the place, but there’s only one at the very center. I’m kissing April Moore. I’m kissing April Moore.

We’re supposed to be friends. This is just practice. Yeah, that’s all it is. Her hands move to the back of my neck and she pulls me close. God, I never want to stop practicing. I groan and shift back, edging her mouth open. A soft noise catches in the back of her throat and I tug her into my lap. Eagerness courses through my veins. The moment her tongue touches mine, it’s as if my whole body is lit on fire. Jesus Christ, this girl is a phenomenal kisser. My hands bunch up in her hair. Her arms go all the way behind my neck, so not only are we making out, but she’s hugging me too.

Fuck my life. I should’ve never fucking agreed to this. How the hell am I supposed to stop now?

Reading my mind, April is the one who pulls back. It’s so sudden that neither of us gets a chance to catch our breath. Her lips are all pink and swollen. She’s still on my lap and my hands are still around her waist, running up and down over her sweatshirt.

“That was …” she whispers.

“Good.” I rest my forehead against hers.

“Really? I was good?”

“Ten out of ten.”

Her face lights up brighter than the entire night sky and I feel so fucking special for being the one to make that happen. “Was I good too?” I ask.

She scoots back, nodding. A second ago there was hardly any space for air to pass between us, and now there’s way too much distance. I hate it.